James Few

Who was James Few?

James Few was born in 1746 in Hartford County, Maryland. His parents were William Few, Sr., and Mary Wheeler. James migrated with his parents and siblings to Orange County, North Carolina circa 1758.

Circa 1770, James married Sarah Wood in Orange County, North Carolina. They had twins, William and Sarah, who were born February 9, 1771.

James may have been a carpenter, but so far no primary source documents have come to light to prove that he was or that mentions his occupation.

James was executed west of Hillsborough, North Carolina on May 17, 1771, after taking part in the Battle of Alamance. He was executed by North Carolina militia troops while they were serving under North Carolina's royal Governor, William Tryon. James was hanged at the militia's camp approximately five miles northeast of the Alamance battlefield.

His children moved to Georgia with their grandparents after his death; his wife Sarah later remarried and moved to Greenwood County, South Carolina. It is unknown what happened to his body after he was executed; either his family members retrieved it or he was unceremoniously buried at the campsite in an unmarked grave nearby by the militia troops that hanged him.